Selig cheered despite low audience figures

Agence France-Presse

refid:11716486 ilişkili resim dosyası

Despite 20 of 30 teams drawing fewer spectators than in 2008 and total average attendance through Wednesday at 28,661 compared to 30,636 last year, Selig has seen major moves by clubs to keep people coming to the ballparks.

"Clubs are very aggressive now in the way they're reaching out. I actually complimented them," Selig said after Thursday's owners meeting. "You have got some teams in economic markets that have really, really been hurt."

Selig also said than fan spending once they come to the stadium on such items as souvenirs and food is "quite a bit reduced".

Major League Baseball set a season record attendance average of 32,785 in 2007 and saw the figure dip slightly to 32,539 for a six-month campaign that begins in April and concludes in September.

"I'm encouraged," Selig said. "We are going against numbers that are stunning."

The New York Yankees and New York Mets moved into new stadiums with reduced seating capacities and neither has sold out a game since the opener. Only four teams have seen major attendance jumps, including defending World Series champions Philadelphia, Kansas City, Florida and Tampa Bay.